The YWCA’s Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities (MHID) Program empowers individuals with serious mental health and/or intellectual disabilities to develop skills and coping techniques to foster recovery and achieve the maximum level of independence at which they can successfully function.

Medication Monitoring: Individuals are supported to acquire necessary skills to manage medications and control symptoms that would otherwise put them at risk for inpatient care or restrictive living arrangements. This component is managed by our Program Director, our Clinical Supervisor (a Registered Nurse) and a Consulting Psychiatrist.

Referrals and admission to this program are made through program staff and approved by Community Care Behavioral Health, a managed care company. This service is available 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. every day of the year for qualified individuals.

Supported Living Services: These services are available for individuals with mental health and/or intellectual disabilities, and are designed to meet service goals in consultation with the Behavioral Services Unit and support coordinators/case workers.

Services include, but are not limited to budgeting and shopping assistance, nutrition education, and household maintenance support and life skills assistance.

The YWCA Bradford Food Pantry is open every Wednesday from 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM. Please call the YWCA at 814-368-4235 for income limits and further questions.

The YWCA’S Food Pantry Program is a source of supplemental food to individuals and families, from Bradford and Eldred, who are on a limited income or have an acute need.

Individuals may sign up by coming to the Food Pantry and filling out an application.

According to State regulation, participants may only attend the YWCA Food Pantry or the Salvation Army Food Pantry once every 30 days. Participants may not attend both. If one would like to switch to one or the other, s/he may fill out a form.

The amount of food received will depend on the number of people in each family.

Emergency food boxes are available by coming to the YWCA. Once an emergency food box is received, participants may attend the regular food pantry 30 days later, during its regularly scheduled hours.

The type of food received will vary, but there should be enough food for several meals.Typical staples include peanut butter and pasta. There may be canned meat or tuna, canned fruit and juice, canned vegetables, soup, boxed potatoes and cereal based on donations from community members.

DYNAMICS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior that takes place between family members or intimate partners.

Domestic violence can occur between spouses, partners, adults and their dependent children, same-sex couples, and the elderly and their family caregivers.

Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.

Domestic violence affects adults and children regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic status or educational background, and can lead to serious injury or death.

Alcohol and drug abuse, mental illness or previous experience does not cause domestic violence, though these issues generally do have an impact on relationships.

Other terms used to talk about “domestic violence” include:

Wife battering

Domestic abuse

Intimate partner violence

Family violence

Relationship abuse

Dating violence

These terms do not necessarily mean the same thing, however each term can shed light on a different aspect of domestic violence.

What is Sexual Violence/Abuse?

Sexual Abuse is an umbrella term that includes, but is not limited to:

Child sexual abuse

Rape

Date rape

Drug facilitated sexual assault

Sexual harassment

Forced prostitution

Sexual abuse involves any unwanted sexual contact where the victim has been forced, coerced or tricked into participation against her/his will. This can include the use of force, emotional bargaining, blackmail or mind games to force sexual contact. Anyone may be a victim. Male or female, young or old, rich or poor, all educational levels.

Sexual violence is a crime of power and control. It is NOT about sex.

Over 80% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows-a relative, friend, or date. It is much higher, 93%, for child victims.

Symptoms of sexual abuse in children may include nightmares, depression, age inappropriate interest in sexual matters, fear of a particular person, genital infections, sexually transmitted infections, age-inappropriate bed-wetting, and drug and alcohol abuse.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Become informed

Lend a sympathetic ear

Let your friend or loved one know that you care and are willing to listen without judgment or blame. Don’t force the issue. Believe them.

Keep your mind and ears open

Support the victim’s decisions. Focus on supporting your friend or loved one’s ability to make decisions that are best for them under the circumstances. Do not offer advice. Support whatever decision is made, even if you do not agree with it.

Protect confidentiality

Helping to protect your friend or loved one includes treating the information shared with you as confidential.

Guide her/him to services

If your friend or loved one is asking for advice, let her/him know about the YWCA Victims’ Resource Center. Give her/him our hotline number. Offer to be with her/him when they call or to accompany them to an appointment with one of our advocates who will explain their rights and options. An advocate will also help develop a safety plan.

No one deserves to be abused.

Abuse is never the victim’s fault.

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As we strive for financial security and viability, we recognize the importance of diversifying our funding sources. All donations stay local, and benefit the very community you live in. Donations are a fundamental piece in providing vital community services, such as feeding the hungry and housing the homeless. We have made it easy for you to join us-just click the “Donate” button above, send us a check or stop in to see us! We also accept donations of food, clothing and other items. For an updated list of accepted donations, contact us at 814-368-4235 or click here.

The YWCA Bradford recognizes the importance of community involvement in making McKean County a safe and prosperous place to live, and we welcome the community to join us in promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We have many opportunities for those who want to give back, and can accommodate varying degrees of availability. From empowering victims of violence and assault to providing a smile and a helping hand at our front desk, we encourage you to roll your sleeves up and dig in! Call us at 814-368-4235 to find out more.